FOR RELEASE FEBRUARY 22, 2016
Utah House Gives Bonneville Restoration Big Boost
Salt Lake City, UT - - The Utah House of Representatives to passed a resolution urging the federal government to take immediate action to restore the Bonneville Salt Flats (BSF). The message is directed to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, which has controlled the land since 1946 and allowed millions of tons of salt to be withdrawn from this unique venue for land speed records dating back to 1914. The historic racetrack was once over 13 miles long and in 2015, racers were unable to identify a 3-mile track.
House Concurrent Resolution 8 is sponsored by Rep. Stephen Handy has moved onto the Senate for consideration sponsored by Senate Majority Assistant Whip Peter C Knudson who also represents Toole County where the Bonneville Salt Flats are located.
“The Bonneville Flats are one of the most important and widely recognized pieces of land in our state,” said Senator Knudson. “The preservation of these lands is of the upmost importance.”
It is rare that a resolution passes through committee with 100% support, which allows it to be fast tracked through the remaining process culminating in a vote by the Senate – hopefully before the end of the current legislative session in, mid-March.
“This is one of the issues we face when we as a state see issues out there with regards to public lands management but we don't control the land," said Mike Mower, Deputy Chief of Staff for Governor Herbert. "Something is happening that we feel is very negative out on our Bonneville Salt Flats."
Responding to past geological survey statements noting that there had been no measurable decline in salt on the flats since 1988. Utah Alliance Chairman Dennis Sullivan explained that geologists and racers interpret “crust” in two different ways.
"It's no longer white; it's brown," observed Sullivan who is also President of the Utah Salt Flats Racers Association. "You can't even see the salt. Some geologists say this is a natural occurring event. To me, that's like saying we know that they're taking dirt out of the copper pit, but we don't know if that's what caused the hole."
Encouraging support for the resolution a life-long resident artist and historian noted of the national treasure.
“If the salt flats are allowed to go away, it is not only a travesty, but a tragedy,” said Utah Alliance Rep. Robert Rampton who is well aware that it is an Area of Critical Environmental Concern and listed on the Registry of Historic Places.
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The Save the Salt Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to restore the world-famous Bonneville Salt Flats. The Utah Alliance is a volunteer Utah-based advocacy group using its expertise and contacts at the local level to protect this Historic Place listed on the National Register. The Save the Salt Coalition is an umbrella group comprised of automotive and motorsports companies and organizations with a vested interest in this national treasure. All three organizations are collaborating to keep the Bonneville Salt Flats available for future generations.
